Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter

This book is recommended for advanced readers in third grade and up

Book Summary:This book is the first in a long series about forest cats that belong to clans. Each group follows a set of rules, but if they break the rules, there are battles. The clan cats are also fighting problems caused by nature, including food shortages or extreme weather events, as well as problems with other animals and humans. In the first book, Firepaw leaves his comfortable life as a house pet to join Thunderclan and learn about life in the wild.

Book Review:This is not a literary book, but it does have compelling elements. It offers younger readers a surprisingly accessible glimpse at politics and motives, since characters are often scheming for power and forming alliances. Readers are required to accept certain elements of the plot which might break down under careful scrutiny, but the story is exciting to male and female readers. Each book in the series ends with an unknown element to be answered in the following book.

Book Advisory Information: Violence, Death of Characters, Religious/Spiritual References (ancestors speak to characters through dreams)

Take the Warriors: Into the Wild book quiz

Discussion Topics and Themes

Safety vs. Risk-Taking

Loyalty - conflicting interests

What people do to attain power

Responsibility; Doing the right thing

Book Poll: Warriors

Related Book RecommendationsIf you like this book, you may also like . . .